I posted it on the pet board, but I am not sure how many of you look on that board, so I decided to post it here.
I live in Manhattan in a one bedroom apartment, and we already have a dog(6 yr old Lab/Boxer mix) she is a medium size dog. I really, really want a small dog...as small as they come, like a toy size.
#1 Am I crazy to even think of getting another dog,especially if we will be TTC come the new year?
#2 Are all small dogs yappy and hard to train?(I think it depends on the owner)
#3 Do small dogs have more health problems?
Some of my friends are telling me that its much more work then I think.
Please give me any advice that you can. I would be so greatful of any that you can provide.
Thank you!
Kara and Todd
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I'll tell you the same thing I tell people who want to get a pony or a miniature horse -- They are the same as big ones, they just weigh less.
The breeds are all so different, just like large breeds. You have to do your research to make sure you get one that suits you.
They are just as much work and require just as much attention and training as large dogs to be well-behaved, happy, and healthy. Some small dogs actually require more attention (smaller bladders, breeds are *generally* more prone to anxiety, though there are always exceptions!!).
Treat the decision the same as you would the decision to get another large dog. Then you'll have your answer! I can't answer it for you - I LOVE animals and I'm all too quick to help other people acquire them. However, you have to make sure your decision is fair to you, your husband, the dog, and your future baby.
jtgarsik
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
okay so hears the deal...I have a teacup chihauha who i love to death...but if I could do it all over again, i would definetly get a bigger dog. They are extremely hard to train....and after their trained they physically cant hold their urine for more than aboooout 7hours???? So it totally stinks if u're out for the day (a barbeque, party, etc.)...especially since most of my family is out on the island(we're in queens)...we HAVE to make sure we're not out more than that amount of time otherwise he'll go in the house....and it's really just that he can't physically hold it - the petshop & vet told us it's pretty much animal abuse if we let it go longer...and our teacup is pretty big for a teacup! So i'd imagine that the smaller ones are even less amount of time. I know their cute - but they really are a huge responsibility...not to mention if u don't have it around people ALL the time(especially when it's a puppy) they can get VERY yappy and VERY territorial/nasty. I lucked out with mine and he's pretty good with people 'cause we kept him playing with different people all the time when he was little...but anyways, the biggest thing is the bathroom stuff. It can get really frustrating when we wanna go somewhere or stay later and we HAVE to go home. The best advice??? I'd say go with something a LITTLE bigger than a toy or teacup...my shitzu is an adorable mush and they're awesome with kids. My friend also just got a malti-poo (maltese poodle mix) and he's SOOOOO freakin' cute!!!! ..and malti poos are still pretty tiny but their a TEENY bit bigger 'cause they have poodle in them. or even a yorkie(REGULAR just not toy/teacup.) Anyways, take it from someone who knows! My little guy is adorable & i love him, but if i could go back i definetly would've gotten something that could hold it's pee longer!!!
jneandry
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I have two yorkies who I LOVEEEE. I wouldnt trade them for the world!! The first one my husband got me ended up being 4.5 lbs. He is adorable. He was easy to train. They have the best personalities and will get along with any dogs. You have to be careful when you get small dogs because of health problems. But I think 4-5 lbs is a good size. They require more care and looking after becasue they are so little when you get them. Niko was 1.3 lbs when we brought him home. So you have to be careful he doesnt fall of the bed..etc.. You also have to make sure they arent playing tooo much because their blood sugar can go low, therefore you give them citracal..which is for that. It sounds like a lot but you get used to it right away and it is sooooo worth it in the end. We crate trained on wee wee pads, and he still goes in a litter box. He was just too little to take out. The advantage is that they will go in it when you arent home. They will also go outside if you take them out. My other yorkie turned out bigger, so you have to be careful bc people can lie and tell you they will be small. He is about 12 lbs. He was bigger than Niko when we got him and easier to care for. So its up to you. If you have the time to do it. ABSOLUTELY! I would definatly recommend a yorkie. They are the best!!!! Here are some pics of them. FM me if you want more info! http://memoriesandmorephoto.blogspot.com/ (at the bottom)
allisonk
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
Thank you so much for your advice. I will def think of everything that you said.
JulyBride14
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I think everyone pretty much covered it. No matter what the size, pets are always a lot of work. I grew up with small dogs (Lhasa Apso & Shih Tzus) and they're all different. My lhasa apso was so well behaved & never had an accident. The shih tzu on the other hand is 14 & still does as he pleases he definitely calls the shots at my mom's house. DH and I now have a shepherd/lab mix and she's also a lot of work. Only thing I have found is that little dogs definitely tend to be much more stubborn. But they are soo cute.. good luck with whatever you decide
milana
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
Yea what everyone else wrote is pretty much true. I love my maltese to death however, she is the biggest pain in the butt ever. She gets anxiety when we leave her home alone, hence we dont have the desire to go out because we feel bad when she starts shaking and getting nervous. She has has two pricey leg surgeries (on both her back legs) due to a gentic condition maltese have. She has seasonal allergies, so she has to take her medicine everyday. She is a TON of work. But she is also great company and luckily we can afford to take care of her the way we do. If you both are planing to have a child i would hold off on a small dog. Yes they are very hard to train. Bella stopped peeing on our hardwood floors when she turned 2 years old. She is very stubborn lol. Also she is mouthy and likes to chew, i wouldnt bring a baby near her b/c she might decide to bite.
Not all dogs are yappy and misbehaved though, im convinced only my dog is, i have seen plenty of small breed dogs that are calm and quiet!
Good Luck
bonniejd
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I have an 8lb yorkie-poodle mix... I Think she is the perfect size, big enough to play with and not worry she that is so fragile, but small enough to not be overly cramped in a Manhattan apt. SHe was easy to train and barely barks, much less yaps, but like everyone else said, each dog/breed is different
allisonk
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
Thanks girls! Mollie(our dog) was so easy to train,alothough having a puppy is a lot of work. And she is very healthy...poo poo poo. She did have a benign tumor, luckily it was nothing serious. Although the vet bills were extremely high. I am prepared for all the training, I just want to make sure that I get a healthy pup.
allisonk
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I also want to make sure I have enough room for all of us in our apartment.
HamptonsBride
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I have 2 smaller dogs..one is a 27lb Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (yeah he grew bigger than he should've)...the other is a 14lb Terrier Mix who was a rescue....my Cavalier is calm and quiet...my terrier barks at everything and is hyper...they have 2 different personalities due to breeds...but i love them both. The little one actually trained quicker than the bigger one, but she was also about 1yr old when we got her.
My parents dog is a 45lb Border Collie we got from NSAL when i still lived at home...and at 12 she is still a bit high strung and always wants to play...but was trained in no time because she was so smart.
Regardless...if you are looking for a small dog, I highly recommend Waggy Tail Rescue, which is where we got our little Terrier from...they have small dogs who need homes....
I never really liked small dogs...until i became the mother of one, ok well two now! haha...to me they are easier because you can take them more places with you than a big dog.
jtgarsik
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
ps: i was wrong about my friends dog! she cas a cockapoo. cockerspaniel poodle mix......he's SO freakin' cute! Also, don't know if u think this is gross - but a lot of my friends that live in the city just train their small dogs just on wee-wee pads...almost like a cat with a litter box. that way they don't have to worry about taking them out all the time with a city lifestyle??? i dunno - just an idea...but i also don't know how well that will go when u have a little one runnin' around since ur TTC!
allisonk
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
Posted by jtgarsik
ps: i was wrong about my friends dog! she cas a cockapoo. cockerspaniel poodle mix......he's SO freakin' cute! Also, don't know if u think this is gross - but a lot of my friends that live in the city just train their small dogs just on wee-wee pads...almost like a cat with a litter box. that way they don't have to worry about taking them out all the time with a city lifestyle??? i dunno - just an idea...but i also don't know how well that will go when u have a little one runnin' around since ur TTC!
Well I have to tell ya, I cant stand the wee wee pads. The only place I might consider it, is on my balcony. I have to take Mollie out for a walk anyway, so I might as well take a little one out too.
And once our family expands we're going to move.
Joanna n Jeff
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
I love having a small dog.....i always had big dogs that were family dogs and when i got my own i went for a little 5 pound yorkie.....he is the cutest thing....the only thing i can say is get a female if you want them to go on wee wee pads bc most likely males(like my dog) lift their leg to pee so it will go on the wall.....i couldnt resist here are some pics of the other man in my life
ps: i was wrong about my friends dog! she cas a cockapoo. cockerspaniel poodle mix......he's SO freakin' cute! Also, don't know if u think this is gross - but a lot of my friends that live in the city just train their small dogs just on wee-wee pads...almost like a cat with a litter box. that way they don't have to worry about taking them out all the time with a city lifestyle??? i dunno - just an idea...but i also don't know how well that will go when u have a little one runnin' around since ur TTC!
Well I have to tell ya, I cant stand the wee wee pads. The only place I might consider it, is on my balcony. I have to take Mollie out for a walk anyway, so I might as well take a little one out too.
And once our family expands we're going to move.
yea - i'm a fan of taking them for walks as well. couldnt imagine letting a pee-soaked & poop filled pad sit in my house! (jmo people! dont get offended!) good luck! be sure to post pics of ur new pup if u get one
LitBallerinaGirl
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
One of my girlfriends just got a silky terrier and we are all so in love with him. He is so cute!
allisonk
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Re: I need some advice on getting a small dog....
Posted by Joanna n Jeff
I love having a small dog.....i always had big dogs that were family dogs and when i got my own i went for a little 5 pound yorkie.....he is the cutest thing....the only thing i can say is get a female if you want them to go on wee wee pads bc most likely males(like my dog) lift their leg to pee so it will go on the wall.....i couldnt resist here are some pics of the other man in my life
He is sooooo cute! I have to show my DH these pics
